WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Kweisi Mfume, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $822,780 in federal funding for AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) programs in Maryland which aim to alleviate poverty through partnerships with local organizations. AmeriCorps VISTA members work with local non-profits and groups to hone their leadership skills while working on issues facing communities, including housing & food insecurity, climate change, access to education, and more. This investment will support up to 42 AmeriCorps VISTA members per year in Maryland.
“As the only federal agency focused on national volunteer work, AmeriCorps is an invaluable partner in tackling many of the challenges our communities face,” the lawmakers said. “From providing emergency aid during the COVID-19 pandemic to supporting communities affected by the opioid crisis, AmeriCorps strategically pairs its federal resources with those of local groups to help Americans in need. This funding for VISTA programs in Maryland will allow AmeriCorps members to provide vital services in our communities while they gain experience working in public service.”
The FY22 AmeriCorps VISTA Quarter 3 Maryland Awards are:
- $724,830 to the Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic VISTA project based in Frederick, a non-profit membership association of public, private, 2- and 4-year colleges and universities that encourages student participation in community service and public service.
- $58,770 to Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. in Columbia, a national nonprofit that addresses housing shortages in communities through tactical investments and community development.
- $39,180 to Career Catchers 2.0 based in Silver Spring, an organization that provides personalized career coaching and mentorship to individuals in low-income areas.
In addition to the awards announced today, AmeriCorps will also provide $272,790 each year in education scholarships for the AmeriCorps VISTA members supported by this award to help pay for college, vocational training, or pay back existing student loans.
Every year, tens of thousands AmeriCorps members serve through 21,000+ schools, nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations and state, tribal and local governments across the country. Since the program’s inception in 1994, more than 1 million Americans have served in AmeriCorps, providing more than 1.6 billion hours of service and earned more than $4 billion in education scholarships. Currently, there are 7,000 AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program. Those interested in joining AmeriCorps can learn more at AmeriCorps.gov/Join.
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